Julia Adella (Listak) Goodrum

Julia Adella (Listak) Goodrum

Mom was born in Rawlins, Wyoming, on August 12, 1943, to Vladimir Peter and Adella Listak as the first of nine children.

The Listaks moved back to Texas in 1944 (as soon as they could). The family farm was located in Brazoria where the US Post Office is located today. They had cows, pigs, chickens, and a large garden. She learned from her parents, during her upbringing, a deep love for God and the Catholic faith, to always put God first, as well as holiness, hard work, integrity, perseverance, and faithfulness. She attended St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic School in Freeport, Texas from first to eighth grade. She was an active member of the Legion of Mary. Her family prayed the Rosary kneeling down beside the bed every night.

In Brazoria is where she met the love of her life, Robert “Red” Goodrum. They dated for two years. Mom and Dad got married on March 5, 1965. They were married for 57 years. The rest is history.

On December 31st of 1965, their first of eight children was born. Dad always said, “If Dr. Hester is there to deliver, it’s a boy. If Dr. Bordon is there to deliver, it’s a girl.” They had three sons and five daughters, all of whom were delivered at the Sweeny Community Hospital.

Now Mom was a strict woman who loved the Lord, Mother Mary, and her family. She prayed the Rosary daily and read the Bible, spending many nights sitting in the quiet bathroom praying her prayers out of her little black prayer book. She made sure we went to the Catholic Church every Sunday no matter what to attend Mass. If the car did not start or we didn’t have a ride, we still went to church in a marching line down Alice Street no matter the weather: hot, cold, or rainy, as long as we made it to Church, Mom was happy. She instilled in us children all that she learned in her life growing up.

Mom sewed most of her children’s clothing on a Singer sewing machine. Whether for the first day of school or a special occasion, Mom’s sewing abilities were frequently showcased on all of us. She even sewed most of Dad’s shirts and suits for his Country and Western show outfits.

Mom always had a small, thriving vegetable garden. This also included many beautiful roses. In addition, she made delicious kolaches, lemon pies, and was a great cook.

Mom loved Czech music and waltzes from the Old Country, Czechoslovakia, and would whistle like a beautiful songbird to every tune while joyfully dancing around the house. She could also whistle any Catholic church song.

Mom worked at Stewart’s grocery store for over 30 years and really enjoyed the people who shopped there.

Dad worked as a pipe fitter during the day and at night would write and sing original songs that he hoped would someday be hits. Mom was there the whole time, no matter the hour, writing down the words and correcting Dad’s spelling, making sure everything was performance ready.

Mom went to jubilantly meet the Lord on Friday, July 11, 2025, on the feast day of St. Benedict with her family praying around her bedside. Dad picked her up in his 69 Cadillac and they are taking the grand tour of Heaven now. May the Lord bless and keep them.

Julia was preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Red” Goodrum, Sr., her brother Joseph, and her sister Elizabeth. She is survived by her 5 sisters and her brother, 8 children, 19 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren.

The Rosary and Visitation will be held at C.T. Baker Funeral Home 634 S. Columbia Dr. West Columbia, TX on Sunday, July 20th, from 3 to 5 pm. The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, July 21st at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Sweeny, Texas at 10:00 am. Interment to follow at Damon Catholic Cemetery, Damon, TX.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.ctbakerfuneral.com